Matildas interim coach Tom Sermanni wants Sam Kerr in camp as Cortnee Vine opts against playing against Switzerland and Germany

Anna Harrington

AAP

3 Min Read

11 Oct 2024

Sam Kerr could return to the Matildas camp despite being injured. Credit: Kelsey Reid/The West Australian

Injured superstar Sam Kerr will join the Matildas in camp ahead of friendlies against Switzerland and Germany, if interim coach Tom Sermanni has his way.

Sermanni, who gave Kerr her debut as a 15-year-old in 2009, has been in talks with the striker regarding linking up with the team for the first time since rupturing her ACL in January.

“I did have a good conversation with Sam,” Sermanni said in announcing his first squad - which obviously doesn’t include Kerr - for his first games at the helm later this month.

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“She’s still in recovery from her injury and quite rightly, is taking time to recover from this injury, because at her age and her stage in her career it’s really, really important that she doesn’t try to cut corners and come back too quickly.

“With regards to coming to our games in Australia, I don’t know the answer to that. I have spoken to her about coming into camp in these games we’ve got coming up in Europe. We’re still having that conversation.

“Some players will walk across hot coals to come into camp, regardless of their condition. Some players who are injured often don’t like to be in the team environment.

“So we’re having that discussion with Sam at the moment.”

When asked what an injured Kerr would bring to the table, he said: “Just her presence in the camp’s great.

“It’s great for the players. It’s great for the staff.

“It’s always good to have someone of that calibre and someone who’s now a really mature player and a leader in the team. So having those players present around the camp is always a big bonus.”

Beyond her injury, Kerr is set to face trial next year after being charged with racially aggravated harassment of a London police officer regarding an incident in January 2023.

But Sermanni was confident the 31-year-old was in a “really good place”.

“She seemed fine,” he said.

“There’s not a lot that gets Sam down. She’s a very upbeat character, very positive. And she was in a good frame of mind.”

As expected, Sermanni mostly turned to experienced players based in Europe for friendlies against Switzerland in Zurich on October 25 and Germany in Duisburg on October 28, with few shocks.

He described the window as a “reset”, preparing for the 2026 home Asian Cup while also attempting to get his players refocused and back to their best football.

Exciting playmaker Daniela Galic, 18, earned her first full call-up off the back of form with Melbourne City, then FC Twente.

Liverpool shot-stopper Teagan Micah (ankle) is unavailable while Sermanni confirmed Cortnee Vine wanted to remain with North Carolina Courage as she attempts to establish herself at the NWSL club.

Skipper Steph Catley has been named despite an injury-interrupted start to her season.

There is only room for four A-League players: Michelle Heyman, Tameka Yallop, Sharn Freier and untested goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln.

Football Australia named former Western Sydney Wanderers men’s coach Jean-Paul de Marigny and Young Matildas coach Leah Blayney to work as Sermanni’s assistants, with Mel Andreatta on maternity leave.

Sermanni said de Marigny shared his football philosophies but would also bring in “a fresh set of eyes and fresh views on the players and on the team”.